<aside> <img src="/icons/stars_gray.svg" alt="/icons/stars_gray.svg" width="40px" />

Lux Systems is a digital platform, merging environmental science and interactive design to reveal how light pollution disrupts human biology. The project uses real data, intuitive metaphors, and dynamic interfaces to translate circadian rhythm science into a seamless, educational user experience.

</aside>

Check out my wix for an more indepth viewing: Wix Website Editor | KimberleePortfolio

Overview

****The development of this project stemmed from a simple observation: the world no longer gets dark. Cities have been replaced by a persistent glow from shop windows, lamps, screens and cars; but what happens to one’s body when the sun sets but light doesn’t?

It didn't take long to realise through research and design, that documenting the impacts of light pollution on the human body and health - particularly melatonin production and natural sleep cycles, should be a topic that is well addressed and spoken about. From here it became clear what was required: refocusing the app back to solving the core problem, and integrating seamless and engaging design experiences. Documenting these effects not through chart and text-heavy screen but through immersive and intuitive design.

Design Challenge

****How can we communicate the biological effects of artificial light in a way that emotionally resonates with non-scientific audiences? What happens to one’s body when the sun sets but light doesn’t?

Competitor Analysis - Light Pollution & Circadian Design

While developing Lux Systems, I conducted an informal competitor analysis of apps and platforms related to circadian health, light tracking, and sleep support, such as f.lux, Apple Night Shift, Sleep Cycle, and Rise: Sleep & Energy Tracker.

Key Findings:

• Use of clinical, technical UI language that lacks emotional or sensory engagement.
• Offer data dashboards without meaningful visual storytelling to explain what the numbers mean for one’s body.
• Rely heavily on user discipline rather than building a sense of curiosity or empathy into the experience.
• Fail to acknowledge light pollution as a social or environmental issue, focusing solely on personal optimisation.
• Include limited visual metaphors or real-time feedback about hormone levels or natural light cycles.